What kind of USB thumbdrive are U using?

Basically what the title says...

I need to find a Thumbdrive (USB) that'l fit in a CF-29.
I have three different ones and they wont plug-in cause they're .. TOO FAT.
I have to lug around a USB hub and cable wherever I go...its just too much.

So guys, What are you using?

Chuck

 

Sandisk cruzer micro works fine
I have used them for years in the cf-29's


Alex

 

Well, if your're looking for something smaller, consider the Pico Flash drive:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/thumb-drives-storage/a6d9/

Not necessarily the best place to buy, but it gives you a nice perspective on the size.

 

I personally have a microSD 2GB in my palm phone and I keep an SD/USB adapter that I can put the micro chip into that I store in my CF-30 at all times. That way I can use it in my phone or take it out of my phone on the fly and use it as SD or USB.

 

Thats a good recomendation if you don't think something that small is going to get lost
Even the Sandisk drives I have have been lost for a while


Alex

 

My current one is an 8 GB Sandisk 'Titanium' Cruzer. Plugs in just fine to the USB ports on this CF-18, but the CF-28's single USB port at the back is a bit dodgy. It's pretty much full of data (primarily the Saab EPC database plus a bunch of dance music mp3 mixes) though so needs to be updated. The metal casing is the main reason I went for the Titanium version as it gives durability when the internals are retracted.

Speaking of USB ports and stuff that can or can't fit into them... I can get my e169 HSDPA modem to plug straight into the USB ports on the CF-18 too but it won't fit the one on the CF28 at all because it's set back in from the casing a bit far and the casing opening isn't big enough.

I have seen special USB 'extension' cables which are short male/female cables made with a screw to secure the male end onto the ports on CF18's and 19's and that gets a USB port clear of the casing if need be.

Craig.

 

Thanks guys, I'm about to go shopping for some 8Gb ones.
But thought I'd ask first, My Sandisk micro U3 that I keep around my neck daily (black with white slider) is 21.7 x 9.25mm but the opening of the 29 is 18 x 9mm. so it dont fit.
If at all possible...I'd like to keep with the slider as this protects the connector some.
I dont want something I'll need a pair of needlenose pliers to get it back out LOL.
I looked on ebay for other Sandisk Micro's but find them either too big or no measurements given.

Guess I'll take another look , Thanks guys for the suggestions.
I will look at those links some.

Chuck

 

Here is the same one that I have

http://cgi.ebay.com/SANDISK-8GB-CRU...ryZ51071QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Alex

 

Looks good.. Tomcat, I like it, I may get one of those anyway and glue it to my head. But I'll probably lose it unless I hang it around my neck.
I've lost many but this way seems to work the best for me.
We are very active at work and carry keys and tools in whatever pockets we can stuff.
Sometimes we carry our stuff up very tall towers to equipment rooms...

Chuck

 

I have 3
One that never gets lost is on my keyring

Alex

 

I don't see it on their website, but I have a RadioShack brand USB 3-D Swivel Adapter I got for $6.99. - You can plug in any thumbdrive/card-reader/etc. you want to with that.

Or, also like I did, you can get an AKE BC168 PCMCIA dual USB2.0 card off of eBay for cheap, and not bother with silly adapters. (But DO NOT use the driver CD that comes with it!! EVER!! Luckily I heard about that particular issue before I bought the card! And it recognises the card fine without running any installers anyways.)

 

Tomcat...57
57,Good year BTW
Yep, done that..
I carried one on my transmitter key ring for quite some time.
My drive was on a separate detachment along with the alarm key that always stays in the lock while I am at the site.
And yes, I have left it behind just a few times because of this. That was because the truck and home keys I keep separate from my work keys...Pockets get too full.
Well anyway, Eventually the drives break-off the key rings.
Since I have to wear an ID badge around my neck, adding another electronic necklace
isn't a problem.

DP...Unfortunately, I must use the thumbdrives as most of the equipment I deal with all have USB.
Having anything that may break is a no-no. I will break it.
But since I do have two empty PCMCIA slots, I may just do that.
I didnt even think about that possibility, Thanks
But me being lazy, Opening the cover each time might be a hassle. Hehe.

 

I used to use the titanium Cruzer's but they all eventually burn out. Apparently if you accidentally leave them plugged in overnight... The heat build-up in the titanium shell cooks the board and makes it go bad... I had three of them until they stopped standing behind them and pointed you to a mobius loop web page... (You who... "What's wrong? --- "Log-In HERE!" --- "What's wrong?" -- "Log-In HERE!" It would never give you the option of CREATING a logon! So... I rant against them every chance I get... They are trash to me. I know someone will chime in and try to tel me that, really... They are a very good product... Don't waste time typing....

I just fell in love with the Pico that Xenon posted... It just goes to show that some good things CAN come from outside the group here... I'm going to order one of the 16GB models in Chrome. (The hardest finish they offer I would imagine) I carry them in my pocket so they get all scratched up.

Right now I have 3 USB keys in my pocket... The one I use the most I am phasing out as it just happen to fit the CF-29 and I found myself using it more and more... It is a Sony retractable. Before that I had a Sandisk retractable but my buddy just bought me an 8GB model like Tomcat posted... I just don't like lids... So I am not sure what I will end up doing with it.

 

Or, you could get a few of these, and use ANY D@MN THING YOU LIKE in there... These guys have them in 4-6-12 inch lengths, with straight or angled (almost any which way) and I have several myself... handy as a pocket on a shirt.

http://www.usbfirewire.com/uextend.html

mnem
Extendify.

 

Yeah Rick, I hate caps.. I lose every one of them.

I just had an old reliable but slow LG 2Gb drive fail that way on me just recently. It made me very sad, a whole days work gone.
I hav'nt burned up a U3 Cruzer yet, knock on wood.
I DO delete or remove the U3 utility before I use them as it is a major PITA on corporate owned machines. They dont like it much when you try to autoload/play anything.
The Pico looks like a likely canidate.

Hey mnem, a 4 incher isnt a bad idea.
I do use extenders now , but trip on them or get yanked out.
I could make a loop of the extra wire and keep it on the drive I suppose
using the very short (4") one..
Or, I could mod the 29 somehow , enlarge that hole some without lookin hokey.

 

Corsair survivor 16g with Cf-30. Perfect match.

EJS

 

Corsair Flash Voyagers 32GB shock/water protections.

 

Yes that looks good as well
The nice thing is that flash storage drives are so cheap you can buy a bunch of them lol

Alex

 

I just bought a USB extension cable like mnementh said. Easiest way to use whatever you want. On the note of what I use, I have a Cruzer 4gb

 

I have 2 Cruzers. The caps went south a long time ago but I still just drop them in my pocket with keys, change, dirt, etc. The paint on the outside is long gone, but they keep on working. They did come with a neck strap with a pretty sturdy quick release clip. I don't wear anything around my neck, the idea of it getting hooked by a spinning crane clutch doesn't bear thinking about.
CAP

 

I have 2 Cruzers. The caps went south years ago but I just drop them in my pocket with the change, dirt, etc. The paint and logos wore off a long time ago, but they keep on chugging. Mine came with neck straps with a very sturdy quick release to use the drive. I personally don't wear anything around my neck. The part where it gets snagged by a spinning crane clutch or propeller shaft doesn't bear thinking about. I think the retractable ones just supply a place for dirt to get into and cause problems.
CAP

 

Aww... C'mon, Cap'n... LIVE ON THE EDGE!

I too understand the concerns of working on machinery with dangerous moving parts... I used to maintain our John Deere 14T haybaler; It has a 400 lb flywheel which drives a 18" square piston with knife on one edge into a compactor chute; where, at preset intervals, a pair of 3 foot long curved needles shoot up from underneath into a mechanism that ties the string on the bales. When you adjust the knotters, you have to sit on the compactor chute with your face about a foot away from the spot where those needles come through the tucker fingers... you can see those needles just behind the tire there on the 2nd photo.

mnem
*Massages scarred spot on his tail thoughtfully*

 

The Obama drive? Drive you to what...insanity? Poorhouse? the rooftop with a high powered rifle? or just plain broke?

 

Sort of off topic, but anyone know if the SD slot in the CF-29 MK4 will take SDHC? I don't have any SDHC memory laying around and didn't want to mess with buy/return if somebody already knows.

Thanks,

Mark

 

Mark,
It will not. I have both a MK4 CF-29 and a MK1 CF-30 and neither will see anything but a SD card.
CAP

 

I use a 8GB Lexar Firefly it's pretty cool cuz it has a very bright big light on it when it plugs in but it's pretty tiny. they go on ebay for like $15-$20

 

Thanks for the info CAP. Much appreciated.


Mark

 

I think I've solved it...
I just purchased a tiny extender
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-x-USB-Type-A-M-F-Male-Female-Adapter-Joiner-Extender_W0QQitemZ250303151614QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Cables_Adapters?hash=item250303151614&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318

we'll see if it fits when it gets here..

Thanks ALL for the suggestions

 

Mmmhmmm - yeah.

You're gonna have the same problem with those I did - they make it TOO EASY to break whatever they're plugged into, just like those horrible purple & green USB->PS/2 adapters we used to have to use on keyboards & mice. I got lucky & just broke the end off my thumbdrive; I'm glad I didn't break the USB port on my laptop. You'll be a lot safer with the short pigtail; it doesn't give you as much leverage against the USB socket...

mnem
Too much leverage CAN work against you...

 

True...True

I thought of that , its almost as bad as leaving the USB drive plugged in the back of a 28.
And, I have broke one as well. Some just hold up better then others I suppose.

Anyhow, I also have a couple of short 4" cables coming too... Thanks Man

 

I just got one of these:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0239722

Nice and small and the price is good too

Bob

 

I bought this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=260382136538

Not as cheap as yours Bob , but dirt cheap compared to anything that says Toughbook on it lol


Alex

 

OK,,,,,, and you got me beat on the coolness factor too
Mines just plain old plastic


Bob

 

Hmmm..
I like those...

 

Bought myself this one a while back. $10 in CAD. Metal and rubber. Can't beat that combo! http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...665000FS10116223&catid=25718&logon=&langid=EN

 

I got a 32 gig Patriot from New Egg - I think it was around 50 bucks and works very nice - pretty fast considering and is in a thick rubber housing - nice to be able to have that much space on a thumbdrive -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220261

Edit - yes it is too fat to fit into the 29 slot but it comes with a sweet little 8" extender cable that fits in perfect and works really sweet - also lets me use anything usb that would normally not fit -

later

 

Just spotted a few 16 GB Sandisk Cruiser 'Titanium' devices on Ebay for prices between A$65 and $75 which is quite good. My 8 GB version is just about full.

Someone posted about these failing when they overheat (which is wierd given they're in a metal casing). I wonder if the 16 GB ones would have more of a problem with that given the increased density of the raw flash memory...

Craig.

 

Kingston DataTraveler I 8gb fits perfectly snug in a CF-28 mk3.

 

I just bought a Pico that was referred above. A 16 GB unit from Newegg... These things are tiny! I had to link it to my small pocket knife just to make sure I don't lose it!

This One!

I know people are starting to chime in about what USB drives they are using... As a reminder they need to be able to fit into the Toughbook's USB slot... We don't care what fits a Dull or IBM machine.... Anything works there...